OMG... Does anyone in the ICU wash their hands?!?!

[stripec30]

I finished my first day of my preceptorship rotation in local a county hospital; we get the sickest of the sick, and lots of people from off the streets. The utter lack of observance to personal hygiene and BSI was sickening. I saw nurses who were doing wound changes with Hep-C patients not using gloves; a nurse clean up some messy diarrhea, discard her gloves, and drink from a water bottle. Almost nobody used the alcohol-based hand sanitizers on a regular basis. All I can say is this: don't be surprised that I don't have a cookie from the bowl sitting in the nurses lounge; I vomit a little in my mouth every time I see someone eating one.

[fiveofpeep]

that freaks me out too. I think alot of the "old timers" arent as OCD as us but it does upset me a bit when I see 5/10 patients on one unit have the same two random infections: pseuda and MRSA when the nurses are notorious for just darting in without a gown or gloves to change pump settings.

[diane227, LPN, RN]

Well, I am an old timer and I tell you what I wash my hands almost raw. I am always washing my hands. When you see this kind of thing, you guys should report this to your instructor so he/ she can talk to the manager. There is absolutely no excuse for this lax behavior. No wonder everyone has MRSA. And did you guys read the article about the new super strain of MRSA. This is why. People are not being careful.

[celclt]

would def not say psueda or MRSA are random--its so common that our ICUs do unit wide nose swabs every week; I think more soud be done @ the basic janitorial level - the beds heeb me out!

[fiveofpeep]

I meant that all 5 had both at the same time each. Thats kinda bizarre in a unit that small.

[CrunchyMama, ASN, RN]

:barf01:

[blueheaven]

This "old timer" washes her hands raw! (and I'm not OCD-lol) After working 4 12 hour shifts in a row, my hands are like sandpaper!!!

Our policy is to use hand gel or wash before going into the room and to use gel or wash when we leave. We do a unit based monitor monthly to make sure we comply. The docs aren't exempt either!

[fiveofpeep]

Oh and by the way since "old timers" keeps getting quoted, I use that term in a very adoring way in reference to the amazingly smart and extensively experienced icu gurus so I hope it doesnt come off offensively.

Also, I think all of these statements are a generalization anyways. It depends on the unit and the staff and the enforcement.

[blueheaven]

LOL, this old timer also has Alzheimer's at times Well, with medicare NOT paying for hospital acquired infections, a call to the Infection Control folks may be in order in that facility.